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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A Pot of Oil -- A Simple Pot of Oil

A Pot of Oil -- A Simple Pot of Oil

by John Harricharaninsight2000.com

How often do we come to a place in life where we feelthere is no hope, no purpose for going on, no anythingto live for? Some of us come to this place often whileothers just visit once in a while. But I am sure, mostof us have been there one time or another.

During such times, the pain is intense, the fear isbeyond comprehension and the confusion is great. Whatdo we do at such times? Where do we go? Who do we askfor help? Where do we turn?

I have always maintained that there are only threeproblems in life -- money, health and relationships. Anyor all of these three could turn us around fromself-confident, happy human beings into fearful, sadand hopeless underlings.

But there is always hope, always help if we can clearour heads, still our minds and listen to the deep calmvoice that comes from somewhere deep within us. Thisvoice has always been there and it will continue to bethere. All we have to do is listen.

By being quiet within and listening to the guidancethat comes from our soul, we will be led to take theright actions, meet the right people, ask the rightquestions and find the perfect solution to the problemwhich haunts us.

The story is told of a prophet of God who was visitinga small town. It is an ancient story and holds a secretto solving all our problems. In that town lived a womanwhose husband had died and left her with tremendousdebts.

In those days, if you were unable to pay your debts,the creditor took your children as bond servants untilthe debt was paid. The woman was beside herself withfear and anxiety. She had two sons whom she loveddearly and could not think of losing them.

In a rare moment of quiet, she had the insight to meetthe prophet as he came to town and to ask his advice.So as the man of God approached, she ran up to him andtold him of her plight.

As I sit here writing this, I can almost see the tiredface of the woman as the prophet looked at her andasked her what is it that she wanted. She told himabout the death of her husband and about the creditorswho were about to come and take her sons away. Sheexplained how times were hard and how she had no moneyto pay. She seemed to be at the end of her rope.

The holy man had compassion on her and asked, "What doyou have in the house?"

"Nothing, O man of God," she replied, "except a smallpot of olive oil."

"Go," said the prophet, "You and your sons, and borrowas many pots as you can. Then take the pots into yourhouse, close the door and pour the oil you have intothem."

Surely she must have thought him mad, but nevertheless,she did as he suggested. And then the miracle occurred.The pot of oil she had, filled all the pots she hadborrowed and only when all were filled did the oil stopflowing.

She went back and thanked the man of God, who said toher, "Now, go sell the oil. You will have enough torepay your creditors and to live comfortably."

This story was taken from the book of Second Kings,chapter 4 and it carries a simple message for all ofus. When besieged by problems that seem insurmountable,stop, be quiet and ask yourself this question: "What doI have in the house?"

You may not think that you have anything, but you wouldbe wrong. Each and every one of us has a "pot of oil".It may appear insignificant to us most times, but it isstill our pot of oil. Our "pot of oil" might be ourability to sing, to write, to fix a car, to do Internetmarketing, to comfort others, to communicatebrilliantly, to pray deeply, to heal others ? whateverit is, let's not ignore it.

Trust that you are a child of the universe with all thehelp you need. You were not just thrown here on aseemingly inhospitable planet that has seen its shareof pain, sadness, terror, poverty, distrust and allnegative things. We are not trapped by the ups anddowns of the Dow Jones average, or the numbers on the401k. We are not slaves to the economy nor are wehorrid creatures to be punished for our past failings,although we can choose to believe any or all of these.

We are bright, beautiful children of this space-timeand we have within us a "pot of oil" that no one elsehas. We are unique in all of Eternity. Let us discoverthis "pot of oil" and use it to bring us joy, peace andall good things.

Do not be afraid or too proud to ask others for help.There is another powerful saying that goes like this:"Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find andknock and it shall be opened unto you."

An old man I met by the sea one day, long ago, said tome, "Go to God first and then to man as God directs." Inever forgot his words of wisdom. Approach your Godwith hope and trust. Then listen for the guidance,which is always there. Follow the guidance and your"pot of oil" will overflow into all areas of your life.

Do not take my word for it. All you have to do is tryit for yourself. You'll be amazed how seeminglyimpossible problems disappear as the mists before themorning sun. Look deep within you and then look waybeyond you. And remember, to solve your problemsquickly, help others solve theirs.